Case handling apparatus



CASE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. 04215557 www m//M Yr June 19, 1956 J, FERGUSQN ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 C mi June 19, 1956 J. l.. FERGUSON ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed OCT.. 28, 1950 I N V EN TORS.

June 19, 1956 J. l.. FERGUSON ETAL 2,750,856

cAsE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed 00's. 28, 1950 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 `une 19, 1956 J, FERGUSON ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-SheearI 5 Filed Oct. 28, 1950 MM, y AGA/M5 m INlENTo/es of@ www@ June 19, 1956 J. FERGUSON ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 28 1950 IIIIIHH INVENTORS.

June 19, 1956 J. L. FERGUSON ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS' 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 28, 1950 INVENTORS MM? .Wm

LL LNIIII `June 19, 1956 1, 1 FERGUSON ET AL CASE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 28 1950 INVENToRs. A

June 19, 1956 J, L, FERGUSON ET Al. 2,750,856

cAsE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Oct. 28, 1950 INVENToRs A A. SL v CQ/M/C' June 19, 1956 J. l.. FERGUSON ET AL CASE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 16 Sheets-Sheet 10 www 9 June 19, 1956 J. l.. FERGUSON ETAL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Oct. 28, 1950 INVENTORS June 19, 1956 J. L. FERGUSON ETAL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1950 16 Sheets-Sheet l2 l 2 INVENTORS A //pz 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 J. L. FERGUSON ET AL CASE HANDLING APPARATUS INVENTORS. f7 mf/W s? `lune 19, 1956 Filed oct. 28, 195() June 19, 1956 .1. l.. FERGUSON ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed OGt. 28, 1950 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 June 19, 1956 J, FERGUSON ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed OCT.. 28, 1950 June 19, 1956 J. L. FERGUsoN ET AL 2,750,856

CASE HANDLING APPARATUS 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 Filed 001;. 28, 1950 //L KILVENTORS JMMJM@ United States Patentliice 2,7 50,856 .Bernried aan@ te, .was

ossa HANDLING APPARATUS :John"L. Ferguson andRic'hard'CfTalbot, Joliet, Ill., as-

Asignors--to J. L. Ferguson Companyyllolietylll., a corporation oflllinois Application October 28, 71950, Serial,No.-,1-9-Z,780

'4 Claims. (CLSB-53) This kinvention relates to `ay case 4handling `method Yand apparatus and amore particularly yto-fa method land `apparatus for opening paperboard cases, folding the closing flaps and positioning the .case for loading, thefmethod vand .apparatus being entirely mechanical ratherfthanxpartially pneumatic. It is an object oftheinvention to'provide :an improved method and apparatus of that character.

Cases for receiving cans, boxes and othersartieles `for ,shipment or'storage are ,conventionally delivered 4fby the manufacturer in attened or folded condition, .with the Iclosing aps at each end extending outwardly. -vIt is another object of the inventionto provide an -improved method .and .apparatus for removingseriatim, individual cases from a stack of folded cases, opening the cases, folding ,the vclosing ilaps at one lend to closed position, ,andfolding the yclosing aps at the otherfend outwardly in order to better receive the articles to .bezplaced infthe carton.

`are removed individually and seriatim from the bottom of a stack of folded cases in which` each of the cases.. lies in a substantiallyhorizontal plane. A novel'form oftbed is provided for supporting the stack of cases in ordertthat the case-removing fingers may reliably remove one, and only one, case from the bottom of the stack at each operational cycle. After removal of the individual folded cases from the stack they are advanced horizontally in a 'direction parallel to the plane of the folded cases with the closing aps extending laterally of the directionof motion. A pivoted case opening member forces the lower rear wall of the case forwardly and upwardly. A case vstraightening member is provided vfor engaging the forwardfolded edge of each case and restraining the case from'forward motion during the operation of the case opening member. Case holding members restrain the rearward edge ofjthe forward lower vwall of the case from upward movement /duringthe operation of the case opening member,.and ap spreaders are provided for bending theflaps f each case to form a V-shaped opening for receiving 'the'.case holding members.

After the case is thus opened the closing ilaps at one -end of the case are moved to their closed `positionsby a series of flap folders and guides 'while the closing 'flaps at the other end of the case are operated upon by flap folders and guides .to fold such flaps outwardly inforder thatarticles to be placed in the kcasenmay more readily be inserted'therein.

Thev invention, together with further.objectssand-:advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to .the-following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended t claims.

Inxthe drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a case handling machine incorporating one embodiment of the invention;

:Eig .2is -al perspective view of the same machine-,shown iti-.Eig ll butrtaken from a differentpointsof perspective;

Eig.. 3.is f.a:plan view of the same machine on a .somewhat smaller scale;

Fig. 4 .is ,a side elevational View of vthesame machine with certain ,portions partially t broken away;

Fig..5;is.,an -enlargedrrpartial crosse-sectional view taken along .the line, 5-5 `of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6;is;an enlarged partial .cross-,sectional view taken 4alorngthe. line` 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig 7, isa View similar to Fig. 6 but shows theapparatus in a diiferent operating position;

Fig. n8lis an enlarged partial cross-,sectional view Ytaken .along .the line 8-8 of Fig.,3;

Fig. .9.is a .detail view of aA portion of ,the apparatus :shown in Fig. Blocking inthe opposite direction;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view .taken along `the line .ill-10 of Fig. 9;

Eig. ll isa .detail view of-,another portion of the ap- .,paratusshown in Fig. 8;

Eig. v1,2,is .an end elevational .view of the ,apparatus ,shownin Fig. 11;

Eig. .13` isa cross-sectional view 4of the apparatus shown .in Fig. 3 taken lalong the line 4'I3-130i that ,iigure;

Fig 14 is .an enlarged, end elevationalview of the apparatuseshown in Fig. 13

Fig. -15tis a plan view of theapparatus shown .in Fig. 13; Fig. 16 isan .enlarged partial cross-.sectional view ofthe apparatus shown in Fig. l5 taken along. the line 16-16 .of that ligure;

lFig. 17 is an enlargedpartial side elevational viewof fthe case Ihandling machine with portions of themachine .partially broken away;

'Fig 18 is la front elevational view offthe same rappara- .tusfshovvntin'Fig .17 taken along .the line ,1S-18 .oflFig 3; Fig. ,19, is avplan viewtof the same vapparatusshown in'Figs. 17 and 18;

.Fig.20,is similarto Fig. l-9 but showing the apparatus inra different operating position;

Fig.'2l fis an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along the `line2121 .oftFig 3;

"Fig `22 is a plan view of the sarneapparatusshown in Fig. "21; v

tFgirg..23'is a cross-sectional view taken along the .line

Fig. 24 is apartial plan view .ofthecasehandling mavchine with portions of the apparatus .broken awayto vreveal the 'driving mechanism;

l:Fig 25 isan enlarged cross-sectional view taken along theline 2S-25 of Fig. 24;

' Fig. 26'is an enlarged crossfsectional view takenalong the line Z6-26 of Fig. 24;

lig.j27 is an enlarged cross-sectionalview taken along the line'27-"27 of "Fig, '24; and,

*FigsQ28-32 are schematic perspective drawings .illustr'ating-various operations performed on a case by the same case handling machine.

"The case handling machine disclosed in the drawings and'idescribed'below is arranged to operate on a stack of folded cases and ultimately to present the cases seria'tim to la 4case-'loadingmachine in condition to receive cans, cartonsfor `otherfarticles which are to be" loaded therein. Thefcasesf40fare arrange'din folded 'condition in a'maga- :zine i41,:best seen inlfFigsjl `and 4. Inethe illustrated embodiment of the invention the individual cartons lie in horizontal planes in a vertical stack. The top of the magazine 41, which does not appear in the drawings, 1s preferably open to receive fresh supplies of folded cases as the stack is depleted.

Within the magazine the stack of cases is supported on a pair of symmetrically arranged rails 42 seen in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 13, and 27. As will be best seen in Figs. 13 and 27 the rails 42 are depressed near the center of the magazine 41 with the result that the cartons 40 near the bottom of the stack are bowed convexly downward for reasons which will subsequently be explained.

Case feeding apparatus is provided for removing the lowermost folded case from the stack of cases contained in the magazine. dogs 43 each having a serrated forward edge in order that they may better grip the rearward folded edge of the lowermost case 40 in the magazine 41. Each of the dogs 43 is pivotally mounted on a fixed stub shaft 44 as is best seen in Fig. 25. The shafts 44 are secured to the sides of a box-like structure 45 which is in turn mounted on an elongated sliding plate 46 but elevated slightly thereabove by a plurality of pads 45a, best seen in Figs. 25 and 27.

The elongated sliding plate 46 is arranged to slide with respect to a pair of fixed rails 47, each of these rails having a groove 4S for receiving the lateral edges of the sliding plate 46. Means for driving the sliding plate 46 in a reciprocatory motion will be described subsequently.

As is best seen in Figs. 13 and 27 each of the dogs 43 is urged in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in those figures, by a tension spring 49 whose ends are secured to a pair of pins t) and 51, the pin 50 extending laterally from the rearward end of the dog 43 and the pin 51 extending laterally from a block 52 secured to one side wall of the box-like structure 45. The springs 49, then, urge the forward, serrated, case-engaging edges of the dogs 43 upwardly to case-engaging position.

An adjustable screw 53 is threadedly engaged with the rearward end of each of the dogs 43 and its lower end is arranged to strike the block 52 as the dog pivots upwardly. The upward or case-engaging position of the dog 43 may thereby be determined by adjustment of the screw 53, and a lock nut 54 is provided for securing the screw 53 in its properly adjusted position. It will now be apparent that the dogs 43 are limited as to their motion in a counterclockwise direction by the screw 53 but may be forced downwardly or in a clockwise direction against the urging of the springs 49.

When the sliding plate 46 is in its rearward position the dogs 43 are located rearwardly of the magazine 41. When the sliding plate moves in a forward direction the forward serrated edges of the dogs 43 engage the rearward folded edge of the lowermost case in the magazine as is illustrated in Fig. 5. Continued forward motion of the sliding plate carries the dogs forward and drives the lowermost case forwardly and out of the magazine 41 to the position shown in Fig. 27. Upon return or rearward movement of the sliding plate the upper surfaces of the dogs strike the forward folded edge of the lowermost case in the magazine and are forced downwardly thereby against the action of the springs 49. When the dogs have been moved to the rear of the magazine the springs 49 cause the dogs to pivot upwardly until the end of the screws 53 strike the blocks 52. The dogs are then in a position to engage the lowermost case in the magazine upon the next forward movement of the sliding plate.

As mentioned above the rails 42 which support the cases in the hopper are depressed near the center of the magazine. This arrangement is provided in order to permit the folded edges of the lowermost case, and in particular the rearward folded edge thereof, to rest rmly upon the upper surfaces of the rails. As is best seen in Fig. 5 the folded cases have a stapled joint 40a extending This apparatus includes a pair oflof vertically extending arms 65.

4 parallel to the folded edges of the cases. lf the stack were supported on a at surface the extra thickness of paperboard at this point would prevent the upper cases 40 from exerting pressure on the forward and rearward edges of the lowermost case with the result that at least one of the folded edges of the lowermost case might assume a position slightly above such ilat surface upon which the folded cases were stacked. lt will be apparent that if the rearward folded edge of the lowermost case were permitted to rise a short distance above the rails 42 the dogs 43 would fail to engage that edge and accordingly would not withdraw the case from the stack.

The depression in the rails 42 provides space for receiving the extra thickness of paperboard near the center of the case and thereby permits the forward and rearward edges of the lowermost case to rest firmly upon the upper surfaces of the rails. Expressed differently, the depressions in the rails enable the cases in the upper portion of the stack to bear on the forward and rearward portions of the lowermost case and thereby to force the folded edges of the lowermost case into contact with the upper surfaces of the rails. This feature of applicants invention assures consistent and accurate functioning of the case-feeding apparatus.

The sliding plate 46 is actuated by an arm 55, see Figs. 25 and 27, which is pivotally connected at one end by a pin 56 to a bracket 57, the bracket in turn being rigidly secured to the sliding plate.

The arm 55 is pivotally connected at its other end to one link each of a pair of sprocket chains 58 through a pin S9. Each of the chains 58 rides on a pair of sprockets 60 and 61, best seen in Fig. 27. As the sprockets 60 and 61 rotate, the pin 59 and hence one end of the arm 55 are carried back and forth over a distance equal to that between the outer points of the sprockets 60 and 61. This motion is of course transmitted to the sliding plate 46 through the brackets S7.

Pairs of guides 62 are provided for the chains 58 to retain the chains, and in particular the links associated with the pins 59, in a predetermined path. The rearward sprockets 60 are preferably made adjustable in position in order that the tension of the chains 58 may be controlled. An adjusting mechanism 63 is provided for this purpose. Since the adjusting mechanism may be of any desired form well-known in the art and since it does not constitute a feature of applicants invention, it will not be described in detail herein.

A pair of arms 64 are provided, extending forwardly of the forward wall of the magazine 41, for holding the folded cases down on the rails 42 as they emerge from the magazine. It will be noted in Figs. l and 4 that the rearward ends of the arms 64 are secured to the magazine structure while the forward ends depend on a pair The latter arms are, in turn, secured to a pair of bars 66 which form a part of the rigid framework of the machine. The arms 64 serve merely to hold the emerging cases 49 against the rails 42 until the cases may be acted upon by a pair of ap spreaders 67 shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. The primary purpose of the flap spreaders 67 is to spread the flaps at the lateral edges of each case 40 to provide a V-shaped opening for convenient and reliable insertion into the case of a case holding member to be described subsequently.

The ap spreaders are mounted on the ends of stub shafts 68 each of which is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 69 secured to a shelf-like frame member 70 of the machine, as best seen in Fig. 3. The flap spreaders are therefore free to move up and down in a pivotal movement.

Each of the flap spreaders 67 is actuated by an adjustable link 71 pivotally connected through a pin 72 to an ear 73 integral with an extending downwardly from the flap spreader. rl'he lower end of the link 71 is pivotally ejercidas -co'iirrectedthrough `apin 7410 'an arm 75. The two-arms 75 for hthe two corresponding Ahap ispreatiers are vsecixred 4'to o common shaft 'which is rotatably mounted in the iframe of lthe machine as isbest -seen inTFig. 24. The shaft 76 is driven by air-ann 77 secured thereto, a roller -7-8 being rotatably connected 'tothe freeendofthe arm l77 and arranged to ride on'a earn |719.

It will ybe apparent upon'inspection'of -AFigs. 6 and`7 that when .the roller' is engaged with the ra'dially inward portion 791.' or the cam track as illustrated in Fig. 6, 'thearm 77 'will be pivcted downwardly and 'the arms 7S andhence. the hap 'spreaders 67 will'b'e pivotedupwardly. Similarly-when the'roller Wis engaged'with the radially outward portion '7% 'ot the cam, asillustrated in `Fig. 7, lthearrn'li will hev pivoted upwardlyw'hile the arms 75 andfhence the flap spreaders will'bepivoted downwardly. lt'will'ibe noted that the link 71is`in the form of n tu'rn- 'buckle'in orderthat thespacing be'twe'enthe pins i2 and '7'i4=maybe adjusted. Accordinglythetwoextreme positions ofthe flap spreadersmay be V'adjusted :with respect i' vingly, `the yv\'/irler"flaps areinthe llowerforward` positions Vandiin the upper "rearward positions. As 'the forward folded edge of'each successive 'case is"adv'anced`fbeyond the rearward edge yof the tlnp spreaders^67, the flap vspreader's are-lowered vfrom the-position shown inFig. '6 '-to the position shownin Fig. 7. As -the hap spreaders lare Ylowered they engage the narrow iiaps in 'the 'forward upper positions 'and drive them downwardly. At the Vsametimethoseviiaps in'turn drivethe'wideilaps inthe forward lowerf positions downwardly, 'as illustrated in Figs. 28'and` 29. Asthe case continues itsfoiwardmotion the two rearward flaps at each side-of "theccarton strikethefbeveled'forward portionse'la f the 'hap-'spreaders67'and iare guided upwardly thereby.

The "forward 'flap fat the 'left-hand side-of veach case, having been forced downwardly-'by Ytheflapy spre'adenA is caught'beneath a-gui-de rail82,fas be'stssee in'TFig. '23. This rail Vis composed of a hat plate i315, amangleiron S'and, for a zportion 'of its length,=a'1'second `arnglefiron S5. The short l'length'of an'gleiron is lbent downwardly at its-forward :portion SSafa's seen in'Fig. 211. The downwardly bent portion'SSa catches the'forwardYaps-f "the cases fand 'raisesl them upwardly 'to '3a 'position' immediately belowfth'e plate 83 las illustrated lin Fig. 223. Similarly theeforwardztlaps Yat ytheright :handsiderrof the caseare caught Abeneath a plate Sdirnmediatelyto the rear 'offthe apsperader, one such=plate`ibeing providedlattleach iside of the machine.

- The rearward naps at lboth sides-of eachfcase-aare guided 1upwardly'bythe .beveledfedge 67a-fof 'fthe ilap spreaders fas-explained above, and as theI.case-continues*itsfforward movement the rearward 'apssiideiovertheupper surface ofthevplates 136 4asseen in .'Figs. 3, .22and23. zFurthc-r forward movement drives the upper rearward-hapert@ overwedge shaped projectionsf'87 coated fonf'theepiates 86. As illustrated fin.I`-igs.l23 and 3G "the'ilaps ataboth endsfof each case fare-thereby spread apart to form'fV- shaped-openings' for receiving apair of caseholding-.rnem- Abers 96. v

The case-holding'niernbers 90 best seen in Figs. 3, 2l and '22, are arranged' one ateach side of `the' case :and serve tohold the rearward edge of theforwar'd lower wallportion of the case downwardly when 'fthellowertrearward wail is bent upwardly by lmeans subsequently to'be described. The case holders are pivotally mounted'onthe frame of' the'machine andere 'arranged'to pivot inwardly of thet'olded cases to case holding position 'and outwardly of `1heopened cases romper-mit their'rurther movem'ent'to.- `ward"loadingposition.

' "Fhe case"holderatthe'le'fthand'side of the machine,

' rails 42.

y6 seen in `Figs. 2l and"2'2, is secured to ,a sha'ft `91 which rotates in a pairiof bearings 91a secured to thefframe of the machine. The shaft 91 :.indhencethe left-'hand case holderis operated by o link '92 Vwhich is ,pivotallyonnected by apintr to an arm 94, 'th/:latter being rigidly ecured tothe lower end o'f thep'in 91. Means for driving the link'92 and means for operating the case'holder atthe right-hand side of the machine will vbe described subsequently.

A pair of case straighteners '95' are provided against which .each case 40 is successively driven .by the case vfeeding apparatus previously described. The case straighteners 95 engage the forward folded edge of each successive case and assure itsproper alignment on the After each successive casejhas Vbeen opened the case straighteners are remo-ved from the path-of the case to permit its continued Aforward travel. T he case straighteners may be seen inFigs. l, 2 and 3 and their koperation will best be understood "by referenceto Figs. #1;and'8.

Each ofthe straighteners isl pivoted about a .tixedpin '96, secured to the corresponding rail 42, and is operated by a iink'97 pivotally secured by a pin .98 to a downwardly extending portion 99 of Vthe straightener. The `other end of the link 97 is pivotally connected byapin *1M to one end of an armlll. The twoarmslll, one for each straightener, are in turn mounted on a shaft '.102 rotatably mounted in the `frame of the machine as may be seen in Fig. 3. A single .arm .163 is arranged to rock `the `shaft 1412, Ythis arm having 'atits free end a roller (see Fig. ll) which rides onacam'lGS.

When the roller 104 engages the lobe portion ltla .of the cam thearm 103, the 'shaft 102, and the arms .lill are forced to their'clockwiseposition as indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 8. The case straighteners are then in their upward or active position. When the roller 161 engages the radially inward portion 'GSb or" the cam the case straightener apparatus assumes the position indicated'by the dotted lines in `Fig. 8, the'straighteuersbeing lowered so that lthe opened case may 'pass thereover.

With `the case straighteners 95 engaging the forward folded edge of a case 40 and withthe rearward edges'of the case holders 90 lying along the `scored line between the lower forward case wall and the lower rearward case wall, apair of case openers '110,'best seen in Figs. 2.and '8, engages the'lower rearward wall of thecase and swings it `upward to a vertical position. .The case openers'are `pivotally `mounted on individual-pins 4111 whichfare set in the rails 42. A pair of `arms 112 are secured to or integral with the respective caseiopeners, each arm 112 being pivotally connectedby apin 113, as seen in Fig.".8, to a link 114 which is in turn pivotally connected by a pin 115 to `one end of an arm `:116. The other end of each arm'116 is secured' toa 'shaft 117 which is.rota'tbly `mounted inthe frame of 'the machine.

A single yarm 118 is providedto roclcthe shaft V117 this `armhaving at its free end a roller 118a which rides on Aa'cam 119. When the roller 118s engages .the radially 'inwardportion 119@ of the cam, Vthe arm 118, the shaft 117 andthe varms 116 assume their clockwiseposition .as indicated by the solidV lines in 'P ig. S. The case opener 110 is then in its lower position. When the 'roller v1185: engages the lobe 119b of the cam, `the case opener.ap vparatus assumes the position indicated by the dotted lines' in FigfS whereinthe vcase openers 110 havecompleteda case .opening operation and extendverticlly.

vvitt 'will' be apparent uponexarnination of Fig. 8 ythat as."the case openers 110 'pivot about the pins .111 in a clockwise direction they will engage the lower surface vof the lower rearward wallportion of the case and.y force ,thatV wall portion forwardly ,and upwardly. lIt will..also be Vapparent that with the case holders i-holdir1'g-the rearward edge of therlowerforward wallportionfdo'wn against the rails 42.and.with the case straighteners preventing forwardmotion of the case 40, the case willbe v7 opened to a position in which adjoining walls are at right angles to each other.

With the case opened and with the eight flaps extending laterally therefrom it is desired that the flaps at one end of the case be folded to closed position and that the flaps at the other end of the case be folded outwardly in order that the articles to be inserted in the case may enter freely. In the particular embodiment of the invention disclosed the cases are moved forwardly prior to the completion of this operation, forward movement of the opened case being provided by a pair of paddles 121). These paddles may be seen clearly in Fig. 2 while their operation may best be understood by reference to Figs. 13, 14 and 16.

The two paddles 120 are secured to a shaft 121 which is rotatably mounted in a pair of brackets 122 which are in turn rigidly secured to the sliding plate 46 previously described.

Also secured to the shaft 121 is a cam 123, best seen in Fig. 16. The cam 123 normally maintains the paddles 120 in a vertical position by virtue of its engagement with a dog 124. The dog is secured to a pin 125 which is rotatably mounted in a pair of bearings 126, these bearings in turn being secured to or integral with the brackets 122. The dog 124 is urged forwardly by -a tension spring 127 the ends of which are secured to a pin 128, extending from the dog 124, and a pin 129 secured in the cam 123.

A spiral spring 130 which is positioned around an exposed portion of the shaft 121 has one end secured to one of the brackets 122 and its other end secured to the cam 123. The loading of the spring 130 is such as to urge the carne 123 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 16. Consequently the spring 130 urges the paddles 120 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 13.

With the spring 130 urging the cam 123 andhence the paddles 120 in the counterclockwise direction and with the dog 124 maintained in its cam engaging position by the spring 127, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the paddles 120 are maintained firmly in their vertical position illustrated in Fig. 13. The paddles 120 are thus positioned as the sliding plate 45 advances, whereby the paddles drive the opened cases forwardly to their loading position illustrated in Fig. 1.

As the sliding plate 46 moves rearwardly a downwardly projecting portion 124@ of the dog 124 engages a trip lever 131 which causes the dog 124 to pivot about the pin 125 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 16. This releases the engagement between the dog and the cam 123 whereby the spring 130 drives the cam and hence the paddles 120 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 13.

A roller 132 is mounted through a pin 133 on a rearwardly extending ear 134 which is integral with one of the paddles 120. The roller 132 is in vertical alignment with a curved rail 135, extending along the path of the paddles, and is 'adapted to engage this rail when the paddles drop downwardly and rearwardly, as when the trip lever 131 disengages the dog 124 and the cam 123. As will be noted in Fig. 13 the configuration of the rail 135 is such as to permit the paddles 120 to assume a horizontal position during the major portion of the return stroke of the sliding plate 46.

As the sliding plate 46 and hence the paddles 120 aproach the rearward portion of their strokes the roller 132 is raised upwardly by the rearward sloping portion of the rail 134 and when the roller 13 2 reaches the highest point of the rail the cam 123 (see Fig. 16) is rotated in a clockwise direction against the urging of the spring 130 to a suflicient extent that the spring 127 can bring the dog 124 into latching engagement with the cam. Accordingly the paddles 120 are again locked in their vertical position.

Referring specifically to Fig. 13 the paddles 120 are illustrated in their vertical position in readiness to drive 8 an opened case in the forward direction. This position of the paddles is shown in solid lines and is designated by the letter A in Fig. 13. The sliding plate 46 then drives the paddles and hence the open case 4t) in a forward direction, an intermediate position of the paddles being shown in phantom lines in Fig. 13 and designated B. The position of the paddles at the end of their forward stroke is also shown in phantom lines and is designated C.

On the return stroke of the paddles the trip lever 131 trips the dog 124, as previously explained, after which the position of the paddles is determined by the roller 132 riding on the rail 135. An intermediate position of the paddles during the return stroke is shown in phantom lines and is designated D. It will be noted that with the paddles 120 lowered to a horizontal position as in D of Fig. 13, as they are during the major portion of their return stroke, the paddles will pass under a case 40, which will have arrived at the position of the case illustrated in Fig. 13 sometime subsequent to the removal of the next preceding case by the paddles 120 and prior to the completion of the return stroke of the paddles.

As will be seen best in Fig. 15 the trip lever 131 is pivotally mounted on a pin 136 which is in turn secured to a frame member 137. A tension spring 138 is connected between one of the inner rails 47 and a rearward portion of the trip lever 131 as illustrated. The spring 138 urges the forward or tripping portion of the lever 131 inwardly toward the center of the machine and toward tripping position. The pivotal mounting of the trip lever is provided in order that the trip lever may be thrust aside by the lower portion 124a of the dog 124 to permit the vforward passage thereof. The spring 137 returns the trip lever to tripping position after the dog 124 has passed with the result that the trip lever is in position to trip the dog upon the return stroke of the sliding plate 46 and the paddles 120.

Apparatus is provided for folding the closing flaps at the right-hand side of the cases inwardly lof the case to their closed positions prior to and during the forward movement of the successive cases by the paddles 120. The flaps are maintained in such closed positions during the loading operation in order that cans, cartons or other articles which are thrust into the case may be held in their proper position within the case. The apparatus provided for operating on the flaps at the right-hand side of the machine includes a pair of forward inner flap folding arms 140, a pair of rearward inner ap folding arms 141 and a top ilap lifter 142. These parts may be seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and their operation may best be understood by reference to Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20;.

The forward inner tlap folders are adjustable secured to a shaft 143 by conventional clamping means 144. The shaft 143 is rotatably mounted in a pair of bearings 145 which form the ends of a pair of links 146 respectively. The other ends of the links 146 are secured to a vertically extending shaft 147 which is rotatably mounted in a series of bearings 148 secured to the frame of the machine.

Near the bottom of the shaft 147 there is connected thereto an arm 149 which is pivotally connected by the pin 150 to one end of an adjustable link member 151 best seen in Fig. 17. The other end of the link 151 is pivotally connected by a pin 152 to one end Vof an arm 153, the other end of the arm 153 being secured to the shaft 154 which is rotatably mounted in the frame of the machine as may best be seen in Fig. 24. Also connected to the shaft 154 is an arm 155 at whose free end there is a roller 156 which rides on a cam 157.`

Tracing this line of drive mechanism, it will be apparent that when the roller 156 is engaged with the radially outward portion 157:1 of the cam the arms `155 and'153 will be in their counterclockwise position as indicated in Fig. 17. The adjustable link 151 will be in its rearward position or in its left-hand position as viewed in 17 

